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About the IDM

The Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine was established in 2004 as a trans-faculty postgraduate research institute based within the University of Cape Town (UCT). It is physically and administratively located within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Our Vision is to be an international centre of excellence where world-class scientists work together to tackle diseases of major importance in Africa.

Our Mission is:

To conduct basic, clinical and public health research that is leading-edge and relevant to the needs of African people

To develop indigenous scientific capacity in the biomedical sciences

To influence health policy and practice by translating scientific discoveries and applying them in our communities

To build partnerships with other research centres in South Africa and elsewhere

Our Membership is comprised of 34 Full and 15 Associate Members, with 17 Affiliate Members from departments across UCT, and 15 Adjunct Members from other institutions. Working within our Members' laboratories and clinical research sites are 220 scientific, technical and administrative staff, 65 postdoctoral fellows and 220 postgraduate students.

Our research efforts are focused on:

Infectious diseases, with emphasis on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

Non-communicable diseases, including prevalent cancers

Genomic medicine

Molecular medicine, including early-stage drug discovery

The IDM conducts research at the laboratory-clinic-community interface by engaging a wide range of scientific and clinical disciplines. Collaborative research includes 77 consortia which link our Members with scientists at 195 institutions in 22 African countries and 33 other countries worldwide. Members also have co-operative research links with 14 South African and 29 international companies.